Japan seeks talks with China

After China ordered an end to anti-Japanese protests, Japan has said it is willing to begin talks to resolve the diplomatic row, with Japanese officials urging Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to meet with Chinese President Hu Jintao, the New York Times reported, citing a Japanese Foreign Ministry spokesman. The Times quoted the official as saying the Chinese are "a little slow in giving us an answer." Beijing appeared reticent to begin the talks, as the stalemate continues over apology demands by China over Tokyo's World War II aggressions. Japanese companies invested US$9.16bn in China in 2004, up 15% from 2003, and employ about 1 million Chinese workers, the Japan External Trade Organization said.